In a root canal procedure, the pulp of the tooth (the living tissue inside) is removed and the resulting space is filled with special, medicated dental materials that restore the tooth to full function. Using root canal therapy not only preserves your natural tooth, extending its lifetime, it also protects and preserves the jaw bone and other supporting tissues around the tooth. Wherever possible, saving your natural tooth will also save you from more pain and expense down the road.

There are a number of signs that suggest root canal therapy may be necessary:

• Sensitivity to hot and cold.
• Severe toothache pain.
• Red or swollen gums near the tooth.
• Discolouration of the tooth.
• An abscess (or pimple) on the gums.

A root canal treatment usually requires one or two office visits and is performed by either a dentist or an endodontist. Here is how we perform your root canal:

The cost of dental treatment varies widely, but saving the tooth with a root canal is more cost-efficient in the long run. With a typical insurance plan, root canal therapy has an average out-of-pocket cost of around $200 to $500+. After an oral exam, we would be happy to provide you with an accurate quote for your insurance company so you can find out your actual out-of-pocket costs. Without insurance, you can expect to pay anywhere from $600 to $1200+ for treatment.

Why is there such a wide ballpark estimate of the cost? When we generate a quote for root canal therapy we consider factors like:

• The severity of the infection.
• The location of the infection in your mouth.
• The health of the surrounding teeth and gums.
• Complications which may require more time or a delicate and experienced touch.

No dental practice can provide an accurate quote over the phone. Every case is different so it’s important to speak with a dentist who can evaluate your unique situation and provide you with all your treatment options for your consideration.

Is there an alternative treatment to root canals?

An abscess or infection in your tooth is extremely dangerous and considered an urgent health matter. Many people think of root canals as some sort of ‘lesser evil’ to end excruciating dental pain. More important than that, root canals remove an infection that can spread and become life-threatening, requiring much more urgent and invasive care. This is why we work tirelessly to fight the reputation that root canal therapy has gained and why your comfort and peace-of-mind is so important to us.

If you think you may have an infection but you really don’t want a root canal, we strongly encourage you to reach out to us anyways. We will not perform any procedure without your full understanding and consent and may have alternative options for you with the ultimate goal of resolving your infection.